PRP Proves Successful for Jumper’s Knee

More positive results for Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) are emerging, this time out of Rome.1 Researchers randomly divided 46 athletes with jumper’s knee into two groups. One group received two PRP injections in a two-week time period while the other group received three sessions of extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Results showed that by six months athletes in the PRP group had significantly greater improvements in pain and symptoms, results that proved true again at 12 months post treatment. The shock wave therapy did have significantly improved symptoms, but not as great as the PRP therapy.

Treatment for jumper’s knee

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is a type of non-invasive surgical procedure that uses shock waves to stimulate healing. There is no incision made, just shock waves applied outside of the body. PRP is a therapy that involves drawing the patient’s blood and centrifuging it to separate out the platelets. Platelets are essential to wound healing and blood clotting, so the platelet-rich blood is injected directly into the affected joint. PRP Prolotherapy works great for tendinopathies. Since jumper’s knee is an oversuse injury that involves the inflammation of one of the knee tendons, it is not surprise that the study above showed positive results.

Prolotherapists use PRP as a proliferant in healing sports injuries and joint injuries. They often use it in conjunction with dextrose Prolotherapy. If jumper’s knee is something that you have more questions on, please don’t hesitate to contact us.